Scandi design at its best: Fraemohs Homes
What is the one approach to home design that most people can agree on? It doesn’t polarise with aesthetic extremes, it is timeless rather than trend driven, it is liveable, cosy, and translates across cultures.
We are talking Scandinavian Design. It is enduringly popular because of its simplicity, its emphasis on nature, and its clean lines.
Emanating from Finland, Sweden, Denmark, and Norway, the birth of this design movement which combines beauty and functionality was no accident. Post World War II conferences in Helsinki, Stockholm, Oslo, and Copenhagen concluded that Scandinavian countries shared an identifiable common design ethos. Editor of the American magazine House Beautiful, Elizabeth Gordon then offered the Scandinavian design ethos as an alternative to Bauhaus or Totalitarian design that was linked to Germany. Gordon presented Scandinavian design as democratic, natural, minimal, intimate and focused on the home and family. The “Design in Scandinavia” exhibition promoted by Gordon toured 24 American and Canadian cities between 1954 and 1957.
While Scandinavian design inspired the Mid-Century Modern movement in furniture design that became well established here, it was Monni Fraemohs who brought with him from Denmark to Christchurch a passion for Scandinavian solid timber home construction. For many years Fraemohs Homes were ahead of their time in New Zealand. The foresight of Monni Fraemohs is vindicated as builders and building codes race to catch up with his environmentally sustainable approach.
In 1968 Fraemohs Homes were, and they still are, the most environmentally responsible option there is. An incredible natural building material, timber is naturally warm and healthy, carbon negative, good for the economy, and easily handles extreme conditions including massive earthquakes.
Fraemohs have always made energy efficiency of their homes a priority. Their solid timber system contains significant thermal mass in itself. “When the sun is heating the timber as a natural product, we are not necessarily having to add something in that has been manufactured in a factory,” says Adam Fairmaid, in-house designer for Fraemohs. “We utilise our own Thermal Modelling process to create homes that are warm but don’t overheat.”
As Fraemohs Homes entered the 21st century, the team have been careful to retain all of the original outstanding aesthetic and practical elements that comprise Scandinavian design, while developing new homes, floor plans and technologies. “We retain the natural, light, and airy colours, we let natural light flow through, we combine minimalism with great warmth, use organic natural textures, and of course we use natural materials, being so grounded in our local and sustainably sourced wood for cladding and framing,” says Business Development Manager Amanda van der Kley.
The concept of ‘hygge’ in Danish refers to a cosy and content feeling. Whatever your particular brand of hygge is, the team at Fraemohs have ensured their homes cater to your comfort. “You might love the minimalist white and creams, or your taste might run to the more Nordic style which incorporates rustic elements.” says Amanda. “We can use open plan spaces, or more intimate rooms, and we are big on indoor/outdoor flow if that is important to you. Everything we do is sleek and functional in true Scandinavian style, but we have the expertise to ensure the benefits and beauty are combined in a way that is bespoke to you and the way you like to live.”
If you would like to take your minimalist and simple approach that step further, there is a range of designs ready to go, including transportables and kit sets in an array of sizes. “We are proud to be New Zealand’s number one Scandinavian style home and building company,” says Amanda. “We don’t think you can surpass our building aesthetics, sustainability, energy efficiency, or suitability for New Zealand conditions.”
